Healthier digestion, no drugs required

A New Approach To Treating IBS [Reuters] Irritable bowel syndrome, a mysterious condition characterized by digestive problems like diarrhea and stomach pain, is estimated to afflict 15% of American adults. IBS is notoriously difficult to diagnose and treat, but researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles, now suggest that a mind-body educational program could yield marked improvements for some patients. The five-week program involved educational sessions that taught IBS patients about the role of the brain in regulating digestion, as well as how stress appears to trigger IBS episodes. Patients who completed the program reported reduced symptom severity and a higher quality of life. (This latest research isn't the only to examine mind-body therapies for IBS; find out how Hypnosis Can Help.)

Workplace Bullies: Are They a Health Hazard? [ABC News] You can't get along with every colleague, all the time—but nobody in the office should be the victim of bullying by their peers. A new study, however, reveals that workplace bullying is surprisingly common, and that self-reported victims were more likely to be using antidepressants, sedatives, and sleeping pills, perhaps to cope with the stress of office unpleasantries. The survey, which polled 6,000 Finnish adults, found that one in eight men, and one in five women, felt they were being bullied at work. Even among participants who weren't bullied, those who witnessed office cruelty were more likely to suffer mental health problems. (Feeling unhappy at work? Find out How To Prevent Office Burnout.)

Does a Junk Food Tax Make Sense? [Los Angeles Times] The idea of levying a tax on sugary sodas and junk foods is controversial, with experts offering up compelling research to bolster both sides of the debate. Now, yet another new study is chiming in—and purports to offer strong evidence that such taxes would reduce our consumption of not-so-healthy items. The meta-analysis of 32 earlier studies, published in PLoS Medicine, concluded that a tax on junk foods combined with a subsidy on fruits and vegetables would be the optimal scenario for enhancing the nutrition of American diets. (Think diet drinks are a healthier option? You might want to reconsider, with these 7 Gross Side Effects Of Diet Soda.)

Candy Cane Flavors We're Not Craving [Blisstree] Yes, 'tis indeed the season for candy canes...and there's no reason to limit yourself to plain old peppermint. But as it turns out, the breadth of candy cane offerings has expanded in some surprising (and not so yummy) ways: These six candy cane flavors, from bacon to maple syrup to (no!) pickle, might very well shock the sugar craving right out of your system. (Avoid scarfing down too many sweets this season, with our Real World Tips For Holiday Health.)